USV (Ultra Shear Viscometer)
/ Applications
Overview
The main application area for the USV is in research and development of engine oils and additive packages. Its ability to automatically measure viscosity at different temperatures and shear rates means that researchers can fully characterise a candidate lubricant with little or no user intervention required.
Testing engine oils
Modern automotive engines run at increasingly higher speeds and temperatures placing ever greater demands on the engine lubricant performance. At the same time there is a need for these engines to operate with lower viscosity lubricants to reduce frictional losses and increase overall efficiency.
As a result the shear rates encountered in the main engine bearings have risen significantly and far exceed the capabilities of traditional viscometers. The Ultra Shear Viscometer can help the lubricant formulator by generating viscosity - temperature maps for high performance oils over a realistic range of shear rates.
Oil 0W − 40 synthetic − test at 80, 100, 120 & 150 °C Viscosity Vs. Shear rate
Non Newtonian oil test at 120 & 150 °C Viscosity Vs. Shear rate
Non Newtonian oil test at 120 & 150 °C Shear stress Vs. Shear rate
Testing degraded oils
The viscosity of a lubricant changes during service. Therefore testing degraded oils is a key issue in some applications. It is possible to carry out tests on used oil with the USV as long as the oil has been filtered down to 1 micron, the size of the radial gap. It is also recommended to use a spare rotor and stator couple dedicated to the testing of degraded oils.
Comparison of viscosity between new and used oil: Viscosity increase of 40 % testing at 150°C from 106 to 107 /s
PCS Instruments, 78 Stanley Gardens, London W3 7SZ, UK: Tribology Test Equipment: Traction Machines: Testing Fuels
Tel: +44 (0)20 8600 9920 
Fax: +44 (0)20 8600 9921 
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